February 2018 – Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

The Fish That Isn’t: Taiyaki

Susan Spann Blog February 26, 2018February 19, 2018fish, Japan, pancakes, street food, taiyaki, treats

Taiyaki – a kind of filled pancake–are one of my favorite traditional Japanese treats. The fish-shaped cakes are easy to find–there’s a taiyaki vendor on the approach to many of Japan’s Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, and every festival has a taiyaki stand. Traditionally filled with sweetened adzuki bean paste or custard cream, I’ve also seen them filled with ice cream, chocolate custard, coconut cream, and jellies. One thing they don’t contain is fish. During my first trip to Japan I saw them, but didn’t try them because I wasn’t sure whether or not they were safe for a person with fish allergies

A Visit to Kongobuji, Part 2: The Dragon Garden

Susan Spann Blog February 23, 2018February 19, 2018Banryutei Garden, Japan, Kongobuji, Koya, Koyasan, rock gardens, Shingon

(To start the visit to Kongobuji from the beginning, click here.) After entering the main building of Kongobuji, visitors pass through the gold-doored ohiroma (sadly, no photos allowed) and along a hallway with wooden floors worn smooth by time and the passage of many feet. Like many Japanese temples, Kongobuji features gardens in every outdoor space, no matter how small.

A Visit to Kongobuji, Part 1

Susan Spann Blog February 21, 2018February 19, 2018Buddhism, Japan, Kongobuji, Koyasan, Mount Koya, Shingon

Originally constructed in 1593 on the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Kongobuji is currently the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Kongobuji means “Temple of the Diamond Mountain Peak.” The temple acquired this name after joining with another temple (which was also the time when it became the head temple of Koyasan Shingon).

Preparing to Hit the Mountain Roads

Susan Spann 1000 Summits, Blog February 19, 2018February 19, 2018100 Summits, Ekoin, hiking, Japan, Koyasan, Mount Koya

Although I’m currently only halfway through chemotherapy, I’ve already started planning my 100 Summits climbs. The hyakumeizan are scattered across all four of Japan’s major islands, meaning each mountain presents not only a physical challenge but a logistical one as well.

Taki no Yakimochi – Tokushima’s Traditional Treat

Susan Spann Blog February 12, 2018March 2, 2018bean paste, Japan, mochi, regional foods, Shikoku, taki no yakimochi

I love just about everything about traveling in Japan, and sampling various regional foods ranks high on my list of things to do whenever I arrive in a new location. (To be honest, I seek them out whether or not I’ve been to the place before.)

Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion, Part 2

Susan Spann Blog February 9, 2018June 24, 2018architecture, golden pavilion, Japanese architecture, Kinkakuji, Kyoto, temple

The Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji, ranks among Kyoto’s most popular attractions, though many visitors know little about the temple’s history or architecture. On Wednesday I blogged a little about the Golden Pavilion’s history (to read it, click here), so today I thought I’d share a little about the architectural details.

Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji (Part 1)

Susan Spann Blog February 7, 2018February 5, 2018golden pavilion, Japan, Kinkakuji, Kyoto, Zen temples

Kinkakuji ranks high among Kyoto’s most popular tourist sites, and with good reason. Its famous golden pavilion, which stands on the edge of a peaceful lake, is a lovely and well-maintained example of Buddhist architecture. But many visitors don’t realize that “kinkakuji” (temple of the golden pavilion) is not actually the temple’s real name.

Traditional Japanese Welcome Tea (and Cakes)

Susan Spann Blog February 5, 2018February 5, 2018Japan, ryokan, tea, temple lodgings, traveling, welcome tea

Tea is the most commonly-consumed drink in Japan, and a customary part of the welcome visitors receive at traditional inns (ryokan), temple lodgings (shukubo), and many guest houses (minshuku). The type and grade of tea used to welcome guests varies significantly in type and grade by region, accommodation, and/or time of year.

Stepping Back in Time at Ekoin

Susan Spann Blog February 5, 2018Ekoin, Koya, Koyasan

Today, I’m guest posting at Murder is Everywhere – and I hope you’ll click over and join me for a virtual night at Ekoin, a thousand year-old temple on Japan’s sacred Mount Kōya. It’s one of my favorite places in Japan, and I hope you like it too! Stepping Back a Thousand Years: A Night at Ekoin